Thursday, July 29, 2010
Posted by chris on March 19, 2010
The Potomac River Association just posted their January-February 2010 newsletter:
The Best and Worst of 2009 – a review of significant events of that year in matters environmental in Saint Mary’s County.
Posted by chris on March 18, 2010
Christina and Frank Allen will be showing the movie “Develop a Sustainable Vegetable Garden Plan”. It is good for both beginning gardeners and also there is much that seasoned gardeners will appreciate. It will be March 27th at 3 pm at the Cole Cinema, St. Mary’s College. It is free.
Ya Gotta Have a Plan!
Develop a Sustainable Vegetable Garden Plan is an intensive course in garden planning, compete with handouts and field trips. In this DVD, Cindy Conner shows you how to put together a notebook with a plan unique to your garden. The companion worksheets help you determine how many seeds and plants you need, where they go and when, when to expect a harvest, and what to plant next. You will learn to mak a garden map, to plan rotations, and to keep your garden full all year long. Whether you are new to all this, or an experienced gardener, this DVD will help you become more efficient, allowing you to enjoy your garden to the max. You will meet some of Cindy’s friends who are happy to show you their gardens, the result of careful planning.
When she began growing vegetables in 1974, Cindy Conner knew little about gardening. She studied everything she could find about organic methods so she could produce nutritious food and have a healthy family. Eventually her concern extended to a healthy community. Cindy was a market gardener for 10 years. Now, with her videos, the community she is reaching has expanded. In more than a decade of teaching, she has developed a system of garden planning she wants to share with you. Cindy lives in Virgina in Zone 7.
Cindy’s garden has been in production for 25 years and you will learn of its transformations through that time. You will see seven other gardens ranging from 100 sq. ft. to a half acre and listen to the gardeners tell how garden planning helped them, as you tag along for a tour.
You can purchase your own copy of the DVD at http://www.homeplaceearth.com/.
Cole Cinema is located in Campus Center. Download a walking map of the college.
Posted by chris on March 16, 2010
Join ACLT Staff and volunteers as we work on the hiking trails in preparation for spring and summer hikes. Trail clearing, weed whacking, sign posting, mulching….a great day to enjoy the outdoors!
Meet at ACLT south side trailhead on Scientists Cliffs Road, Port Republic
Cook out and picnic lunch for volunteers at Noon. Please notify the office if you plan to participate. For more information call 410-414-3400 or email us at volunteer@acltweb.org.
Posted by chris on March 13, 2010
I have featured “The Story of Stuff” here in the past and thought it was time to promote it again as the book was just released on March 10th.
| The Colbert Report | Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| Annie Leonard | ||||
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“The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute film that takes viewers on a provocative and eye-opening tour of the real costs of our consumer driven culture—from resource extraction to iPod incineration.”
Be sure to check out http://www.storyofstuff.com/ for more information.
Posted by chris on March 7, 2010
On Earth Hour hundreds of millions of people around the world will come together to call for action on climate change by doing something quite simple—turning off their lights for one hour. The movement symbolizes that by working together, each of us can make a positive impact in this fight, protecting our future and that of future generations. Learn more about how Earth Hour began, what we’ve accomplished, and what is in store for 2010.
Posted by chris on March 6, 2010
Saturday (Rain or Shine)
It’s time once again for Summerseat Farm, Inc’s annual fundraiser, the 8th Annual Plant Sale. This plant sale is not only a sale but an occasion. It is on Saturday, May 8th, the day before Mother’s Day, from 8 am to 3 pm. We have for sale colorful annuals and perennials, herbs, vegetables, grasses, shrubs, trees, hanging baskets, planted pots, crafts and wood works, specially made up gifts for mom, a courtyard cafe for breakfast or lunch and drinks. Our sale selection changes from year to year, depending on what is available to us. Some of the plants come directly from Summerseat’s own gardens. The lovely old house dating from 1884 will be open for tours. The original land grant for “Summer Seat” was dated June 1678. There is an old family cemetery, a lovely gazebo, fish pond, and the gardens will be in full spring regalia! The farm area will be open to you to look around at the variety of animals, including a herd of American buffalo (bison) and a herd of Barbados sheep (hair sheep). Be sure to bring your camera. There will be a petting zoo, planting seeds for the kids, and they can play in the “corn pool.” There is even a walking trail. We’ll have an exhibit on “Compost” and a Master Gardener Q&A and information table. You’ll have an opportunity to purchase a membership to help Summerseat with its mission to keep this farm from development, educational programs, preserving its history, agriculture and natural resources. Summerseat is a 501(c)3 designated nonprofit organization. Donations are tax deductible. It is located at 26655 Three Notch Rd (Rt 235 S.), Mechanicsville MD, St. Mary’s County. Follow the signs. There’s free parking and admission. For information, call 301-373-6607, 301-373-5858, visit the website at www.summerseat.org.
Posted by chris on March 5, 2010
The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) is looking for artists, farmers, vintners, chefs and owners of eligible local business who would like to be included in the upcoming edition of Southern Maryland Trails: Earth, Art, Imagination, a popular local guidebook featuring things hand made, home grown and authentically Southern Maryland.
The fourth edition of the guidebook will be printed in late summer of 2010 and will showcase the region’s culture, heritage, cuisine and natural beauty. The book features four Trails across the five Southern Maryland counties (Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s) and highlights art galleries, art studios, farms, B&Bs, wineries, eateries, lodgings, parks and natural areas along these Trails. It includes maps, photos and detailed descriptions of Trails sites, along with suggested itineraries and a calendar of special events at the sites. It is distributed free at Trails sites, visitors centers, county fairs, festivals and via the Web.
Businesses that feel they meet the Trails criteria may submit an application between now and March 31, 2010. Applications and a list of criteria are available at www.somdtrails.com/partners.html or by calling SMADC at 301-274-1922.
Owners of current Trails sites must submit a renewal form before March 31 to have their listing continued in the new book. There is a fee to apply for or renew a Trails membership. Applicants may submit an application or renewal form after March 31 if they pay a late fee. No applications will be accepted after April 23, 2010.
The upcoming edition of the book will feature, for the first time, full color ads for local businesses and organizations. Those interested in advertising in the Trails book, whether they are partner sites or not, can download the application which has an advertising contract attached.
For more information about the Southern Maryland Trails, visit www.somdtrails.com. Information about all of SMADC’s programs, including the Trails, is available at www.smadc.com.
The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) was established to promote diverse, market-driven agricultural enterprises, which coupled with agricultural land preservation, will preserve Southern Maryland’s environmental resources and rural character while keeping the region’s farmland productive and the agricultural economy vibrant.
To learn more about additional programs and resources, contact SMADC, P. O. Box 745, Hughesville, MD 20637; phone: 301-274-1922; fax: 301-274-1924; email cbergmark@smadc.com or visit www.smadc.com.
Posted by chris on November 8, 2009
Chris Parts of the Maryland Chapter of the US Green Building Council congratulates Dr. Michael Martirano and Kim Summers on Evergreen Elementary School achieving LEED Gold certification.
LEONARDTOWN, MD – During the November 3, 2009, dedication ceremony for Evergreen Elementary School, the United States Green Building Council recognized St. Mary’s County Public Schools for their outstanding achievement in designing and building Evergreen Elementary School and named the school as a Gold-rated Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) project. LEED is the nation’s premier program for design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. Only some 3,400 buildings nationwide are LEED certified, with only 1,100 of them achieving gold certification. Evergreen Elementary School is the first LEED primary school in St. Mary’s County.
“We are extremely pleased with our final product,” said Dr. Michael J. Martirano, superintendent of schools.”Not only is Evergreen Elementary an example of energy conservation at its best, but it is also a hands-on learning environment for every student who walks through its doors. I thank every partner who played a role in the funding, design, and construction of this magnificent facility which is certain to serve as a prototype for future school construction throughout the state.”
The Evergreen Elementary design utilizes the LEED scorecard and includes a geothermal pilot project in which a portion of the two-story section of the building has geothermal heating and cooling and the other portion has a more traditional system. This allows for comparison to see if the future schools in our county should have geothermal heating and cooling, and also provides an opportunity for the students to evaluate the systems as instructional components. The building is also designed with natural daylighting in all instructional spaces. Evergreen Elementary School is unique because it incorporates green building concepts, and uses those concepts as teaching tools for a greener tomorrow.
Posted by hester on September 29, 2009
1st Wednesday of the Month from 7:30AM – 9:00AM
Starting October 7, 2009
Join us for coffee, juice and a light breakfast to…
Network with others who are Learn about residential and Provide feedback to our
‘Going Green’ commercial green rating elected officials about what
systems incentives and support would
Discuss the latest ‘Green HOT help you ‘Go Green’
TOPICS’ Participate in advocacy
groups to promote green Leave the meeting inspired to
Listen to experts in the field share building in Southern Maryland share this new knowledge
their green building knowledge with others
Southern Maryland Higher Education Center
44219 Airport Road, California, MD 20619
Classroom Building 1 - look for signs directing you to the meeting space.
Feel free to bring a friend – this event is free and open to the public!
For additional information or to RSVP, please contact:
Sandy Neville at: Build4Health@aol.com
Subject line: ‘Green Building Networking
Who Should Attend?
Administrators, Architects, Builders, Building Owners, Business Owners, Church Leaders, Concerned Citizens, Contractors, Design Professionals, Developers, Educators, Elected Officials, Engineers, Environmental Groups, Environmental Planners, Facility Managers, Government Agencies, Health Care Providers, Home Owners, Procurement Specialists, Product Manufacturers, Real Estate Professionals, Redevelopment Leaders, Sales Professionals, Service Providers, Students
…Everyone with a stake in the environment!
*Students are welcome to come at 7:00AM and stay as long as their schedule allows.
Posted by hester on September 26, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Southern Maryland Higher Education Center
44219 Airport Road
California, Maryland
7:00 p.m.
Speakers will address:
Financial Incentives
Practicality
Advisable Locations – where the wind blows
Legal issues
Sponsored by: The Potomac River Association
For information: potomacriverassociation.org
Dudley Lindsley: 301-373-2551
